Lifelong Epson guy and just purchased my first Canon. (4600)

[dgberg]

Thought I would never see this day but it is here. Ordered a Canon 4600 with 2 roll adapter yesterday.
In 15 years of business I have had 14 Epson's, a Roland Bn-20a and an HP. Have I had issues, sure.
Replaced a couple of heads over the years but they just run for the most part. Which brings me to my circumstances today.
My P8000 had two error codes. Tech was out twice and replaced the cutter motor and assembly. Worked for two weeks and have the same error codes.
Tech coming out this week to replace the main board probably to the tune of another thousand. Printer is only 3 years old with usage on the lighter side.
Most of the inks are full 700 ml carts which is about $2000 worth of ink so I have to do my best to get this thing running.
In the past I have always had 2 44" units but am down to one so when this unit shuts down I am shut down.
 I started looking and reading up on the P9570 and found more negative than positive but the print output is amazing.
The price is $5995 and with an extra set of inks you are spending $8500. That number was just too rich for my blood.
Took a quick peek at the 4600 and it listed for $4500 but had a factory $800 rebate running out yesterday. $3700 all in with 4000 ml of ink.
Add a 2 roll adapter adds an additional $1100. After reading anything and everything about it I ordered one. Looks like a real solid machine.
I am sure it will be easy to learn and the two roll adapter is well worth the cost.
I can run my Epson's with my eyes closed and will have to pay a little more attention until I get up to speed.
The cost had a lot to do with it but after my conversation with Scott at Bellevue Fine Art that sealed the deal.
Come on Epson you have to be a little more competitive than this.

[Ryan Mack]

Congrats! My 4000 has been super easy to use compared to my old Epson. I just wish I could justify upgrading it to the 4600 for the improved inks (and could get Canon to send a crew to swap it out on the second floor of my house)!

I’m happy to answer any questions if I can help. Everything should be straightforward but on macOS there’s some weird stuff around installing the correct driver to allow you to choose custom media types in your applications which always trips me up.

[dgberg]

Thank you Ryan
The biggest issue will be getting profiles for my Lexjet Fredrix, Canson and Hahnemuhle and Epson papers and canvas.
I can make my own but it is a lot of work. Will start checking around to see if some or all are available.

[Ryan Mack]

Canson and Hahnemuhle should have good coverage except for papers that were discontinued before the x600 series came out. Personally I use ImagePrint Black and let Jon and company make the profiles for me.

[dgberg]

I found all my Canson and Hahnemuhle profiles. Fredrix canvas and 3 Epson ones and I will be good. If only image print would cover all my printers for one price then maybe but it is really expensive to buy to cover a half dozen machines. No need for a RIP with my pigment machines as pretty much all those prints are photography images on canvas printed through Lightroom or Qimage One. On my big solvent I use Epson Edge and the Onyx Rip for that work as no standard drivers are available for the s80600.

[Czornyj]

Congratulations! Switching from Epson x880 to Canon iPFx300 was the happiest day in my printing history My present PRO-4000 has only one big issue - it doesn't want to die and still works flawlessly after 8 years of use, so I have no reason to buy new PRO-4600 which is simply fantastic and substantial upgrade... You'll gonna love it!

[Kyle D Jackson]

The cost had a lot to do with it but after my conversation with Scott at Bellevue Fine Art that sealed the deal.

I'm curious, any particular highlights from that conversation that "sold" it?

[Richard.Wills]

Congratulations! Switching from Epson x880 to Canon iPFx300 was the happiest day in my printing history My present PRO-4000 has only one big issue - it doesn't want to die and still works flawlessly after 8 years of use, so I have no reason to buy new PRO-4600 which is simply fantastic and substantial upgrade... You'll gonna love it!

Still on my 8400, which refuses to die, but I do need more speed, and a take up reel for a lot of jobs.

Dan, which version of Onyx are you running - once you get really used to running a RIP, you never look back!
I'm almost thinking to keep 44" as a 4600, and getting an 80600 for lower grade, but good production work (phototex, vinyl, banner), all of which crawls through on an art printer. I couldn't live without a rip, particularly for the demanding clients and the volume jobs.

[dgberg]

My s80600 was purchased used and did not come with a RIP. I found someone that gave me the 12 version at no charge but it was really old. I went on the forums looking for a newer version and found a Thrive 19 which I now use but it too is out dated. I have a search out on Print Fam forum and have found several options, just waiting on prices. A version 21 and a new 24 version but it is the stripped version Gamaprint.
I print all of my canvas wall art through Epson Edge. The 80600 output is outstanding, not quite as good as the pigment but pretty darn close. Fast, fast. Just wish I could get more of my high end Hahnemuhle and Canson papers that could be run on the solvent. Once I get a newer updated Onyx I am going to dig in a little deeper with it and I am sure I will love it.
Thanks again for the referral, hope it works out. I sent a half dozen canvas samples out yesterday.

[dgberg]

I'm curious, any particular highlights from that conversation that "sold" it?

Sure. Even though many of the paper issues were getting better in his production environment it just wasn't working.
I just see now he has both P9570 up for sale for $500@, that should tell you something.
I know he has a 4600 in the shop with potentially another on the way and only had good things to say.
He talked me into getting the second roll option.
Don't want to reveal too much of a personal conversation just give him a call. 
He was so gracious with his time. You can tell he has printers in his blood.

[Kyle D Jackson]

I just see now he has both P9570 up for sale for $500@, that should tell you something.

Wow I'd say!  Thanks for the info!